PHARMACOLOGY OF SPIRAMYCIN - A COMPARISON WITH OTHER MACROLIDES

With the emergence of new intracellular pathogens, such as Legionella species, renewed interest has focused on the macrolide family of antib acterials because of the ability of these drugs to penetrate cells. A paradoxical situation exists regarding the clinical efficacy of macrol ides and the poor serum concentrations achieved during therapy.;This m ay reflect their excellent tissue penetration (particularly into infec ted tissues), postantibiotic effects, and possible transport by phagoc ytes. Moreover, macrolides exhibit various interactions with host defe nce systems, including modification of phagocyte functions. Spiramycin is a 16-membered-ring macrolide with an antibacterial spectrum charac teristic of this class of drugs and including Gram-negative and Gram-p ositive cocci, Parvobacteriaceae and some intracellular organisms; act ivity against a number of parasites has also been demonstrated. Its ce llular pharmacokinetics, postantibiotic effect and interactions with h ost defence. systems appear to compare favourably with those of the ne wer macrolides.